2. speakers
  3. 1174273820

Small bookshelfs that reach 42 hz

I just about worked out what speakers to buy for the living room when the wife changed her mind from floor standers to stand mount speakers. She saw a set of B&W 805's on their dedicated stands and that was it.

Not wanting to cave in for pure aesthetics, I need to know what else to consider for a small (16" or less tall) bookshelf speaker that will allow me to reach the bottom range of a bass guitar with solidity. Please no speakers that do 50 or 60 hz and then crap out; that won't fit the bill. Price is anything up to $3000 new with stands. Nice looking matching stands are a major plus as this is the living room.

Since I haven't bought the amp yet don't worry about synergy but if you have suitable integrated recommendations that won't be above $1500 or so used I'm all ears. Many thanks.
wdrazek
weez
14 posts
 
The 805's (like most stand mounts) won't be flat to 42hz. There is only so much you can get from a 6" driver.

One suggestion that will get you pretty close: Ellis 1801b.

But because Dave Ellis' waiting list is pretty long; you might call Jim Salk and have him build you a pair. Any finish you want. He might even be willing to build matching stands.

Match them up with the new AVA integrated and you'll be happy. So will your wife.

www.ellisaudio.com
www.salksound.com
www.avahifi.com

WEEZ
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
How about Tylers and a DK Design Integrated?
well the Linbrook Signature Monitor goes to 35hz, You could do both of these for your budget with nice stands. Another great speaker I love is the Green Mountain Callisto, but that is -3db at 47hz so ignore me:)
mjw55
82 posts
 
The Dynaudio Special 25's go to 30hz according to the manufacturer and 25hz according to Stereophile magazines' testing. The SE 1.3 Specials are a bargain at less than $2k used. Check it out. I'm not selling any but, I do own the Special 25's and have been very happy with them for over 2 years.
Good luck
jamesfoucheschack692f
5 posts
 
I have a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers. They're rated to go down to 42Hz and, when placed in certain spots, seem to actually do so, according to Stereophile's Editor's Choice CD.

I generally like them, although I've found it hard to optimize soundstaging, bass extension, and tonal balance. It seems like a trade-off among those three.

They retail for $400/pair - seem like a bargain.
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
Personally I think may floorstanders look better than monitors on stands, unless the stands are exceptionally well integrated with the speakers.

Would she go for narrow baffle floorstanders like AP Virgos ?

One other question is how far from rear and side walls will the speakers have to be placed ? If very close to rear walls then rear ported monitors with low frequency response could sound quite boomy.
More to discover